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Linebackers coach Keith Patterson admits: It's hard to know what to expect from ASU's newcomers. You watch a player's high school film and think you might know where he fits, but then he arrives and you realize you were wrong.

In two years, coach Todd Graham has taken Arizona State from eight wins to the Pac-12 Championship Game. He has changed the culture and energized a fan base. His next challenge: sustaining success.

Counting down until the season-opening kickoff, we're providing a weekly look at ASU's program, breaking down each position group. This week we look at the linebackers.

NEWCOMERS

Linebackers coach Keith Patterson admits: It's hard to know what to expect from ASU's newcomers. You watch a player's high school film and think you might know where he fits, but then he arrives and you realize you were wrong.

On the same note, you think some players might require a year or two of seasoning and then he ends up playing right away.

"It always seems like the guy I least expect to come in and make an impact is the one that comes in and makes an impact,'' Patterson said. "I coached a kid last year that was 6-4 and 185 pounds. Outside linebacker. I plan on redshirting him, and then against Oklahoma I'm putting him in the game, (second) game of the year. It seems like it's always the one who I least expect ends up contributing."

In that case, freshmen Christian Sam and Jamal Scott both will get a strong look. It's also possible that junior Eriquel Florence – who redshirted last season after arriving late as a junior-college transfer – could factor into the equation. He played mostly Devil-backer in the spring.

"It's going to be an interesting fall camp at linebacker,'' Patterson said. "It really is. It's going to be fun. I like it."